Split spindle for door latches



May 20, 1930. Y w. R. scHLAGE SPLIT SPINDLE FOR DOOR LATCHES Filed July 18, 1928 l I N VEN TOR. Y wf/wlw fafa/lag A TTORNEYS.

l PatentedMay 20, 1930.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- wALTEn. '3. semer., or SAN rnANcIsco, CALIFORNIA, As'srGNoB. To scIILAeE-Locx oo., or sAn rnANcIsco, cALrEomnA, A conronArIoN or CALIFORNIA sym srnmm: ron 'noon LA'rcnEs Application ledV 15,188. SerialY No. 293,560.

I This invention relates todoor latches as shown inmy co-pending application en-l titled Post anchored door latch filed July 18, 1928, Serial Number 293,561, and especially to a split spindle structure through which the door latch is actuated. A

The. object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of door latches of the character described, to provide a split spindlev whereby the latch may be retracted by rotation of either spindle, to provide a split dle consisting of two telescoping sections 1ndependently operable with relation to .each

' 15 other, and further", to provide a spindle structure whereby an interlock is formed between thespindle and a cooperating retractor, said interlock securing the spindle againstl endwise movement in either direction.

A door latch employing the split sp'ndle is shown by way ofillustration in the accoIIlpanying drawings, in which: y Fig. 1 is, a horizontal longitudinal, section taken on line I--I of Fig. 2, said view showing vthe door latch assembled in a door and also showing the split spindle sections telescoping with relation to each other,

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line II-II of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the inner end of the inside spindle,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner end of the outside spindle,

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of the inner ends of the'two spindles, showing them telescoped with relation to each other, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the retractor, Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the inner end of the latch housing. Y Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a portion of a door in which the door latch is assembled and inserted. To receive the latch, two holes are drilled in the door, one through latch housing, and one at right angles thereto, as indicated at C, to receive-the escutcheon plates and the latch actuating mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a housing,

5 generally indicated at D, which consists ofholes, such as indicated at 7, 8 and 9 to the edge, as indicated atvB, to receive theithrough V'the inner escutcheon plate.

top and bottom `plates 2 'and 3, an end plate Land side plates 5 and 6. The inner end of the latch housing is closed by the end plate 4, .but the side plates are each provided with r permit the spindles to pass therethrough, and

also aA pair of anchor posts as will hereinafter be described. Y

Slidably mounted in the housing is a re` tractor, generally indicated at E, see Figs. 2 and 6, and connected therewith is the bolt or latch proper, as indicated at F. The retractor may beconstructed in any suitable Inanner. In this instance it is shownas formed from a piece of strap iron, which is bent 'to a rectangular shape so as to form top and bot-A tom sections, indicated at -10 and 11 respecv tively,and end sections 12 and 14. The retractor is guided by the top andV bottom plates 2 and 3, and by the side plates 5 and 6. as the width of theV retractor is equal to the spacing between the side plates and the height is equal to the distance between the top and bottom plates of the housing.

The forward end of the retractor is provided with an opening 15. A bolt 16, suitably secured to the latch F, extends through this opening and it is secured to the ret-ractor by means of a collar 17, and a head member 18. A bar 19 extends crosswise of the 4housing and thisbar is also perforatedy to permit the bolt 16 to pass therethrough. A spring 20 surrounds the bolt 16, and is interposed between the latch F and the cross bar 19, and as such exerts a pressure which normally maintains the retractor and the latch in the eX-v tended position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The latch actuating unit illustrated in the present instance consists of an outer escutcheon plate 22, and an inner escutcheon plate 90 28. These plates egage the opposite face of l the door, and they are secured thereto by a pair of posts 24 and 25, and a pair of cooperatingv screws 24a and 25a, Which extendv The posts 24 and 25 are formed integral with the outer escutcheon plate'22, or otherwise secured thereto, and their outer ends extend into 'carrying the inner knob-` 31.

maintain a coaxial alignment between the escutcheon plates and the mechanism to be supported thereby. Each escutcheon plate is also provided with a central hub member, such as shown at 27 and 28. and these hub members form journal members for a pair of spindles, indicated at 30 and 31. Both spindles are provided -with knobs, such as shown at 3()a 'and 31, and these knobs serve the function of transmitting rotary movement to the spindles when the door latch F is to be retracted or projected.

The spindles are constructed as shown' in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. These spindles telescope, one with relationto the other, the largest di- 'ameter spindle 30 carrying the vouter knob 3 0 and the smaller diameter spindle 31 In `fact, the outer spindle 30 is extended into the vbearing hub 27 of the inner escutcheon platev and as such rotates not only withl relation to the bearing hub 27 but also with relation to the outer bearing hub 28. The inner spindle 31 in turn rotates within the outer spindle.

vBoth spindles are cut away, as indicated at 32 and 33. A connecting web is left, as indicated at 34 and 35 and these webs form the function of roll back members, as they en-v gage the inner end 12 of the retractor and as.v y such impart a reciprocal movement thereto when one spindle orthe other is rotated. The cut away portions indicated at 32 and 33 perform another function besides that of forming the roll back members 34 and 35-towit-that oflsecuring the spindles against endwise movement either in an inward or outward direction'. This is dueto the fact thatthe cut away portions straddle the end plate 12 of the retractor and as the retractor is held against lateral movement by means of the side plates 5 and 6 of the latch housing itis obvious that the spindles are secured against endwise movement in either direction. v

In actual operation when the door is pre'- pared for the reception of 4the door latch by 'drilling the holes indicated at B and C, it is serting the posts 24 and 25 through the perf forations 8.and 9 formed in the side pla-tes,

first necessary -t-o insert the latch housing D, secondly, when this is inserted, the outerl escutcheon plate is applied to the door by in- 5 and 6 of the latch housing; third, applying the innerescutcheon plate 23 and securingl Lfand 7. This forward movement causes theil end plate 12 of the retractor to move inwardl ly, Vbetween the cut away portions 32 and 33 of the spindles, thus securing them against endwise removal. The knobs may then be applied if this has not already been done, and the installation of the door latch is complete.

A split structure, such as here illustrated, has many advantages when comparison is made with ordinary split spindles. First of all it will be noted that they telescope with relation to each other in such a manner that one spindle forms a bearing for the other and vice versa. Secondly, full floating bear' ings are formed for each spindle as they are not only journalled one with relation to each other but they are also journalled in the hub bearings indicated at 27 and 28. This is also important as it maintains a coaxial alignment between the spindles and theescutcheon plates. Another important feature .is the cut away portions indicated at 32 and ment with relation to each other, and withl relation to the escutcheon plates and the latch of further importance as \it materially in `creases the rigidity and strength of the latchv mechanism as a whole.

While certain features'df the vention are more or le speclfically described, I wish it understood that various4 through the housing at right angles to the.

longitudinal axis of the housing, said spindle having a cut away portion which straddles the retractor, said cut away portion formmg resent ina pair of shoulders engageable with the retractor and securing the spindle against endwise movement, and the remaining metal in alignment with the cut away portionform'f ing 'a roll back member engaging the retractor.

2. In a door latch of the character described',` a latch housing having a pair of openings formed therein, one in each side,

a retractor slidably mounted in the housing, a pair of telescopingspindles extending through the openings inthe housing, each l spindle being tubular and consisting of two sections which are interspaced and connected a Web forming a roll back member, the

rl'l back member of each spindle engging the retractor and the interspaced sections of 5 each spindle forming shoulders engaging 0p- .posite sides of Aspindles again the retractor and securing -the st endwse movement.

WALTER R. SCI-ILAGE.v 

